Anchor: South Korea reported 551 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, staying in the 500s for the second day amid fears of a resurgence in the pandemic. Additionally, Busan announced it will raise its social distancing to Level Two from Friday.
Park Jong-hong has this report.

Report: The country reported 551 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, raising the accumulated total to 103-thousand-639 cases. 

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCA) said the daily figure marked the highest in 41 days since February 19 when 561 people tested positive for COVID-19.

Of the new infections detected throughout Wednesday, 537 were local transmissions and 14 were imported cases.

About two-thirds of the local cases came from the greater metro area, with 197 in Seoul, 125 in Gyeonggi Province and 20 in Incheon. 

Other parts of the nation added 195 cases amid small and large clusters linked to workplaces and other routine locations across the nation. 

Against this backdrop, South Korea's southeastern port city of Busan will be raising its social distancing level from One-point-Five to Two starting Friday amid signs of a resurgence.

Yoon Tae-ho, a senior health official, made the announcement to reporters, adding that some cities and provinces were also considering raising social distancing rules.

Busan has reported more than 100 cases in the past week tied to bars and other facilities.

The official, however, said specific discussions have yet to begin on raising the level in the capital, despite a rise in new cases.

Authorities will review possible adjustments to the social distancing guideline after monitoring the situation this week.

From Friday, restaurants and other public facilities in Busan will only be allowed to open until 10 p.m. Bans on gatherings of five or more people will continue throughout the nation. 
Park Jong-hong, KBS World Radio News.